Pregnancy: Friday facts and tips

Hope you’re enjoying the sunshine! I’m really enjoying my pregnancy – and had much to talk about last week with my former Fun Song Factor co-star Polly Parsons who is also expecting (we are pictured below with our fellow Fun Song Factor performers Chris Till and Aston Merrygold).

I’ve written some tips for those who are pregnant, or hoping to get pregnant. Let me know what you think – I’d love to hear your tips, too!

1. Did you know you are entitled to free dental care treatment and prescriptions when you are pregnant and within 12 months after giving birth? Your doctor needs to complete a form for you and then you will receive a card in the post to confirm your entitlement. Looking after your teeth in pregnancy is really important – you are more susceptible to plaque and bleeding gums. If you look after them well enough you won’t suffer.

2. Did you know not everyone suffers from morning sickness? Many people think that feeling sick in the first trimester (12 weeks) is the norm. Pregnancy effects everyone differently and if you don’t feel sick it doesn’t mean the baby isn’t healthy – it means you have just been lucky!

3. Lots of people will advise you to take folic acid before falling pregnant and then for the first three months after you conceive. Folic acid is good to take throughout your pregnancy to help reduce the chances of your baby getting spina bifida. It won’t do the baby any harm. Pregnacare do a great vitamin which I’ve been taking throughout my pregnancy so far. I have also discovered a great product called WaterBaby. It’s a delicious citrus-flavoured water than contains all the vitamins you need throughout your pregnant and a fantastic way of staying hydrated. It comes highly recommended if you are suffering from morning sickness and is supplied by a mum and dad team with their own toddler! www.mywaterbaby.com

4. Did you know when you fall pregnant you might have more frequent trips to the toilet for a ‘wee’? I first suspected I was pregnant when Alex and I were in Venice. I must have only been one week pregnant and I wanted to go to to toilet every 30 minutes. After reading up I found out this is perfectly normal and apparently it only gets worse!

5. Did you know during pregnancy, the ligaments in your body naturally become softer and stretch to prepare you for labour. This can put a strain on the joints of your lower back and pelvis, which can cause backache. There are several things you can do to help prevent backache from happening, and to help you cope with an aching back if it does occur. Avoid lifting heavy objects, bend your knees and keep your back straight when lifting or picking up something from the floor, and move your feet when turning round to avoid twisting your spine. Wear flat shoes where possible as these allow your weight to be distribute evenly. Work at a surface high enough to prevent you stooping.A firm mattress can also help to prevent and relieve backache. If your mattress is too soft, put a piece of hardboard under it to make it firmer. Massage can also help. I’ve been seeing a great osteopath www.raj-osteo.co.uk who is amazing!

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About Laura Hamilton

TV presenter Laura Hamilton blogs about property, parenting, and luxury and adventure travel. She seldom sits still and often blogs when she is filming in far flung destinations around the world with her two young children in tow.
A regular on screen with A Place in the Sun, Laura also hosts Fort Boyard for ITV. She competed in The Jump and Dancing on Ice and loves a challenge.